Firearm safety systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A firearm safety system, including a firearm and a uniform. The firearm includes a directional transmitter, a directional receiver, and a locking mechanism. The uniform includes an omnidirectional transmitter, an omnidirectional receiver, and an alert mechanism. The directional transmitter and directional receiver are proximate and substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm. The locking mechanism prevents the firearm from launching a projectile if the firearm is targeting the uniform. The alert mechanism provides feedback to an individual equipped with the uniform if the uniform is targeted by the firearm.

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to a firearm safetysystem. More particularly, certain example embodiments of this inventionrelate to a system including a firearm and a uniform, and in which thefirearm is disabled when the firearm is targeting a uniform and/or theuniform alerts the individual equipped with the uniform when if thefirearm is targeting the uniform.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In combat or law enforcement, an ever-present risk is injury fromfriendly fire. Additionally, firearms distributed to one armed forces orlaw enforcement organization may end up in the possession or control ofthose looking to harm members of that armed forces or law enforcementorganization.

Recent media reports also confirm that the U.S. armed services hastrained and armed individuals who are presumed to be allies, only tofind out that they are not “friendlies.” That is, in some cases, theU.S. armed services has trained and armed individuals in othercountries, assuming that they would temporarily supplement and/or assumepolice, military, paramilitary, and/or other roles being served by U.S.servicemen and -women, e.g., as U.S. forces are drawn down. Buttragically, these armed individuals have sometimes turned their weaponson their trainers, causing lives to be lost.

Even away from combat zones and law enforcement activities, licensedfirearm owners may sometimes have their weapons stolen and used for illpurposes. In other cases, licensed firearm owners may have theirchildren or other inexperienced persons play with, misappropriate,and/or misuse their weapons, possibly leading to accidents.

Thus, it will be appreciated that there is a need for a firearm safetysystem that addresses these and/or other concerns.

In one aspect of certain example embodiments, a system is provided thatprevents a firearm from launching a projectile in the direction of anindividual wearing a specific uniform.

Another aspect of certain example embodiments involves a uniform thatprovides feedback to an individual equipped with the uniform if theuniform is targeted by the firearm.

Another aspect of certain example embodiments relates to the uniformincluding an alert mechanism that provides feedback to an individualequipped with the uniform if the uniform is targeted by the firearm.

Still another aspect of certain example embodiments relates to thefirearm including a locking mechanism that prevents the firearm fromfiring if the firearm is targeting the uniform.

In certain example embodiments, a firearm safety system is provided. Afirearm comprises a directional transmitter configured to transmit adirectional signal substantially parallel to and/or generally in a lineof sight of the firearm. A uniform comprises an omnidirectional receiverconfigured to receive the directional signal transmitted by thedirectional transmitter; and an alert mechanism configured to outputfeedback to an individual equipped with the uniform in response to theomnidirectional receiver receiving the directional signal.

In certain example embodiments, a firearm safety system is provided. Auniform comprises an omnidirectional transmitter configured to transmitan omnidirectional signal. A firearm comprises a directional receiverconfigured to receive the omnidirectional signal transmitted by theomnidirectional transmitter; and a locking mechanism configured toprevent the firearm from firing, in response to the directional receiverreceiving the omnidirectional signal.

In certain example embodiments, a firearm safety system is provided. Afirearm comprises a directional transmitter configured to transmit adirectional signal generally along a path in which the firearm ispointing, a directional receiver, and a locking mechanism. A uniformcomprises an omnidirectional transmitter configured to transmit anomnidirectional signal; an omnidirectional receiver configured toreceive the directional signal transmitted by the directionaltransmitter; and an alert mechanism configured to output feedback to anindividual equipped with the uniform in response to the omnidirectionalreceiver receiving the directional signal. The directional receiver isconfigured to receive the omnidirectional signal transmitted by theomnidirectional transmitter. The locking mechanism is configured toprevent the firearm from firing in response to the directional receiverreceiving the omnidirectional signal.

Methods of operating these and/or other systems are also contemplatedherein, including for operations on a battlefield or othercombat/contentious scenario, in training, etc.

The features, aspects, advantages, and example embodiments describedherein may be combined to realize yet further embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages may be better or more completelyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description of exampleillustrative embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an overview of a firearm safety system in accordance withcertain example embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the firearm safety system shown in FIG. 1in accordance with certain example embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of an illustrative portion of thefirearm safety system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with certain exampleembodiments;

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic view of an illustrative portion of thefirearm safety system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with certain exampleembodiments;

FIG. 5 is an overview of a network utilizing the firearm safety systemin accordance with certain example embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of protecting soldiers bydisabling the firearm according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of protecting soldiers byproviding feedback through the uniform according to an exampleembodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using informationgathered by the firearm safety system for training according to anexample embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Certain example embodiments relate to firearm safety systems. A detaileddescription of example embodiments is provided with reference to theaccompanying drawings. Like reference numerals indicate like partsthroughout the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an overviewof a firearm safety system 1. In certain example embodiments, thefirearm safety system 1 includes one or more uniforms 20 and one or morefirearms 10.

The uniform 20 may be worn by an individual such as a member of themilitary (e.g., in combat, training, etc.) or law enforcement personnel(e.g., during training, the performance of duties, etc.), etc. Theuniform 20 may be of or include any suitable material, such as cloth(e.g., cotton, flax, wool, ramie, silk, etc.), synthetic fiber (e.g.,nylon, polyester, elastane, etc.), and/or the like. The uniform 20 mayinclude armor designed to absorb and/or deflect slashing, bludgeoning,and penetrating attacks from weapons or projectiles. For example, theuniform 20 may include bullet resistant material such as KEVLAR™,hard-plate reinforced armor, etc.

The uniform 20 may include footwear such as shoes, boots, etc.; upperbody protection such as a shirt, jacket, etc.; lower body protectionsuch as pants; and/or head protection such as a hat, a helmet, a faceshield, etc.

The firearm 10 may be any device that launches one or more projectiles.The firearm 10 may be a handgun, carbine, shotgun, rifle, etc. Thefirearm 10 may be single fire, semi-automatic, automatic, etc.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the firearm safety system 1. In certainexample embodiments, the firearm 10 may include a directionaltransmitter 12, a directional receiver 14, and a locking mechanism 16.

The directional transmitter 12 may be any electronic device that emits adirectional signal (e.g., light such as infrared light, radio waves,etc.). The directional transmitter 12 emits a directional signal in linewith, parallel to, or substantially parallel to the direction of the oneor more projectiles launched by the firearm 10. The directional receiver14 may be any electronic device that senses a signal (e.g., light suchas infrared light, radio waves, etc). The directional receiver 14 sensessignals that are in line with, parallel to, or substantially parallel tothe direction of the one or more projectiles launched by the firearm 10.More specifically, the directional receiver 14 either senses signalsthat are in line with, parallel to, or substantially parallel to thedirection of the one or more projectiles, or senses signals in multipledirections and determines through signal processing whether the one ormore signals are in line with, parallel to, or substantially parallel tothe direction of the one or more projectiles. The locking mechanism 16is in electrical communication with the directional receiver 14. As willbe discussed in greater detail below, the locking mechanism 16 isconfigured to prevent the firearm 10 from launching the one or moreprojectiles, for example, in response to input from the directionalreceiver 12.

In certain example embodiments, the uniform 20 may include anomnidirectional receiver 22, an omnidirectional transmitter 24, and analert mechanism 26.

The omnidirectional receiver 22 may be any electronic device that sensesa signal (e.g., light such as infrared light, radio waves, etc.). Theomnidirectional receiver 22 senses signals that intersect theomnidirectional receiver 22 regardless of the angle of incidence. Theomnidirectional transmitter 24 may be any electronic device that emitsan omnidirectional signal (e.g., light such as infrared light, radiowaves, etc.). The omnidirectional transmitter 24 emits anomnidirectional signal (e.g., light such as infrared light, radio waves,etc.) in all or substantially all directions. The alert mechanism 26 isin electrical communication with the omnidirectional receiver 22. Aswill be discussed in greater detail below, the alert mechanism 26 isconfigured to provide feedback (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile, and/orthe like) to the individual wearing the uniform 20 in response to inputfrom the omnidirectional receiver 22.

In certain example embodiments, the transmitter 12 and receiver 14 inthe firearm 10 may be paired with or otherwise known to the receiver 22and transmitter 24 in the 24 in the uniform 20. For instance, thetransmitter/receiver pairs may operate on a common frequency,wavelength, etc., or in a common range of frequencies, wavelengths, etc.In some cases, the receiver/transmitter pairs may be synchronized sothat they vary in a predetermined, random, or other manner. Although theterm “pairing” is used, it is noted that the relationship between thevarious transmitters/receivers may be 1:1, 1:many, many:1, or many:many.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of an illustrative portion of thefirearm safety system 1 in accordance with certain example embodiments.As shown in FIG. 3, the firearm 10 includes the directional transmitter12 and the uniform 20 includes the omnidirectional receiver 22 and thealert mechanism 26. The directional transmitter 12 is located proximateto the output of the one or more projectiles launched by the firearm 10(e.g., proximate to the barrel of the firearm 10) and emits thedirectional signal in line with, parallel to, or substantially parallelto the direction of the one or more projectiles launched by the firearm.As indicated above, in certain example embodiments, the directionalsignal emitted from the directional transmitter 12 may be infrared (IR)light, radio frequency (RF) waves, etc., and their may be a pairing orother predetermined relationship between one or more transmitters 12 andone or more receivers 22.

The omnidirectional receiver 22 includes one or more sensors and isconfigured to detect whether the directional signal emitted from thedirectional transmitter 12 is incident upon the one or more sensors.Because the directional signal emitted from the directional transmitterfollows a substantially similar path as the one or more projectileslaunched by the firearm 10, the omnidirectional receiver 22 isconfigured to detect if the uniform 20 is within the path of the one ormore projectiles launched by the firearm 10. Accordingly, theomnidirectional receiver 22 is configured to detect whenever theindividual equipped with the uniform 20 is targeted by a firearm 10which includes the directional transmitter 12.

In certain example embodiments, the alert mechanism 26 of the uniform 20provides feedback to the individual equipped with the uniform 20 toalert the individual if he or she is being targeted. More specifically,the alert mechanism 26 provides feedback to the individual in responseto a determination by the omnidirectional receiver 22 that a directionalsignal from the directional transmitter 12 of the firearm 10 is beingdetected by omnidirectional receiver 22 of the uniform 20.

The alert mechanism 26 may provide tactile feedback, audible feedback,and/or visual feedback, etc. For example, alert mechanism 26 may includeone or more tactile feedback devices configured to vibrate or otherwisealert the individual equipped with the uniform 20 that he or she iswithin the field of fire of firearm 10. In another example, the alertmechanism 26 may include one or more audio-based feedback devices (e.g.,speakers) configured to produce one or more sounds or otherwise alertthe individual equipped with the uniform 20 that he or she is within thefield of fire of firearm 10. In another example, the alert mechanism 26may include one or more visual feedback devices. More specifically, theuniform 20 may include a display within the individual's field of visionor adjustable such that the display may be positioned within anindividual's field of vision (e.g., through suitably configured goggles,a head-up display (HUD), display worn by or accessible to the person,etc.). The alert mechanism 26 may include more than one or more of theaforementioned and/or other feedback devices. By providing multipletactile feedback devices, for example, it may be possible in somecircumstances to indicate a direction from which the person is “takingfire.” Similar statements also apply to audio-based and visual feedbackdevices.

The alert mechanism 26 may be adjustable such that the individualequipped with the uniform may adjust the type and/or intensity of thefeedback. For example, the alert mechanism 26 may be configured suchthat an individual may choose one or more of the tactile, audible,and/or visual feedback, etc. The alert mechanism may be configured suchthat an individual may adjust the frequency, acceleration and/orduration the tactile feedback, the frequency and/or volume of audiblefeedback, the color and/or size of the visual feedback, etc. Forinstance, vibrations may become more intense, sounds may become louder,visual indicators may change color, etc., e.g., as the person takes morefire from a single source, as the fire comes closer to hitting theperson, as more persons fire at the person, etc.

As the one or more projectiles launched by the firearm travelhorizontally, the one or more projectiles will travel vertically towardsthe Earth due to the force of gravity. Larger horizontal distances willresult in larger vertical displacement of the one or more projectiles.Therefore, in certain example embodiments, data from the directionaltransmitter 12 may be used to help calculate the distance between thefirearm 10 and the object being targeted and use the calculated distanceto approximate the path of the one or more projectiles. In this example,a processor may be configured to take the data from the directionaltransmitter 12 and compensate for such forces and effectively adjust thedirection of the directional signal to more accurately coincide with thelocation upon which the one or more projectiles may impact an object.Accordingly, the directional transmitter 12 may include a storage devicesuch as transitory or non-transitory memory to store values used tocalculate the vertical displacement of the one or more projectiles(e.g., the mass of the one or more projectiles, the force exerted by thefirearm 10, etc.). One or more processors may be provided, as alluded toabove, to help with such calculations.

The omnidirectional receiver 22 may include one or more sensors locatedat different positions of the uniform 20. For example, theomnidirectional receiver 22 may include one or more sensors proximate tothe head, chest, stomach, sides, back arms, hips legs, feet, etc., ofthe individual equipped with the uniform 20. The omnidirectionalreceiver 22 and the alert mechanism 26 may be configured to providefeedback based on the location of the sensor that receives thedirectional signal from the directional transmitter 12. For example, ifa sensor located on an individual's back receives a directional signalfrom the directional transmitter 12, the alert mechanism 26 may providehaptic feedback to the individual's back so as to alert the individualthat he or she is being targeted from behind. Similarly, if the alertmechanism 26 is configured to provide visual feedback, the alertmechanism 26 may indicate that the direction from which the individualis being targeted.

In certain example embodiments, the omnidirectional receiver 22 and thealert mechanism 26 are configured to immediately provide feedback to theindividual as described above in response to the omnidirectionalreceiver 22 receiving the directional signal from the directionaltransmitter 12. In other example embodiments, the omnidirectionalreceiver 22 and the alert mechanism 26 are configured to providefeedback to the individual only if the omnidirectional receiver 22receives the directional signal from the directional transmitter 12 fora predetermined time, e.g., in order to prevent the individual frombeing receiving feedback in response to the individual being onlymomentarily within the field of fire of the firearm 10 (e.g., becausethe targeted individual moved out of formation or in an unexpected way,because the person with the firearm only momentarily scanned a sightlinethat the person happened to be in, etc.). In certain exampleembodiments, the predetermined time may be a threshold minimum such as,for example, 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 2-5 seconds, etc.

Similarly, in certain example embodiments, an alert may not be triggeredunless one specific individual wearing a suitably equipped uniform 20 istargeted a threshold number of times, or unless multiple individualswearing suitably equipped uniforms 20 are targeted. For instance, asingle person may be inadvertently targeted twice, three times, etc.,before raising an alert. In other cases, the total number of “friendly”targets may be taken into account before an alert is raised, e.g., suchthat an alert may be raised if there are three, five, seven, nine, orsome other number of targeted “friendlies,” regardless of whether thesame or different “friendlies” are targeted at each instance.

In certain example embodiments, the time thresholds may be independentof the number of friendly targets. In other example embodiments,however, there may be some relationship between the various values. Forexample, the time threshold may be reduced according to a predefinedpattern (e.g., a linear reduction with each friendly target, a stepwisereduction after successive thresholds targets are acquired, etc.).Similarly, if a single person is targeted for a lengthy amount of time,the threshold number of targets may be reduced in the same or similarfashion.

These approaches may be advantageous in terms of reducing “falsepositives.” That is, these approaches may be advantageous because theymay account for real-world unpredictable scenarios. Thus, the safetysystem 1 may be somewhat forgiving of mistakes and/or understanding ofunexpectedness within the field, but may nonetheless attempt to learnover time, or at least make educated guesses, as to who is hostile, whois bad a wielding weapons, etc.

In certain example embodiments, the directional transmitter 12 isconfigured to encrypt the transmitted directional signal andomnidirectional receiver 22 is configured to decrypt the directionalsignal transmitted by the directional transmitter 12. This may beadvantageous in certain example embodiments because it may help reducethe likelihood of an enemy group scrambling signals, using their ownreceivers to target persons wearing uniforms 20 and/or wielding firearms10, etc.

In certain example embodiments, the directional signal transmitted bythe directional transmitter 12 includes data identifying the individualfirearm 10 and/or the location of the firearm 10. The data may bepacketized and may be encoded using frequency modulation, pulse widthmodulation, etc. The data identifying the individual firearm 10 may bestored in a memory device. The data identifying the location of thefirearm 10 may be determined by a positioning system using a globalpositioning system (GPS), signal triangulation, etc. If theomnidirectional receiver 22 receives a directional signal from thedirectional transmitter 12 that includes data identifying the locationof the firearm 10, the feedback mechanism may provide visual feedbackindicating the location of the firearm 10 and/or an identity of theperson wielding it (if known).

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic view of an illustrative portion of thefirearm safety system 1 in accordance with certain example embodiments.As shown in FIG. 4, the uniform 20 includes the omnidirectionaltransmitter 24 and the firearm 10 includes the directional receiver 14and the locking mechanism 16.

The omnidirectional transmitter 24 emits an omnidirectional signal inall or substantially all directions. The omnidirectional signal emittedby the omnidirectional transmitter 24 may be infrared light (IR), radiofrequency (RF) waves, etc., as described above.

The directional receiver 14 is located proximate to the output of theone or more projectiles launched by the firearm 10 (e.g., proximate tothe barrel of the firearm 10) and is configured to detect signals (e.g.,IR signals, RF signals, etc.) which are in line with, parallel to, orsubstantially parallel to the direction of the one or more projectileslaunched by the firearm 10.

Because directional receiver 14 is configured to detect signals emittedby the omnidirectional transmitter 24 that follow a substantiallysimilar path as the one or more projectiles launched by the firearm 10,the directional receiver 12 is configured to detect if the uniform 20 iswithin the path of the one or more projectiles launched by the firearm10. Accordingly, the directional receiver 12 is configured to detectwhenever the firearm 10 is targeting an individual equipped with theuniform 20 that includes the omnidirectional transmitter 24.

Similar to the directional transmitter 12 described above with referenceto FIG. 3, the directional receiver 24 is configured in certain exampleembodiments to adjust the vertical angle of the sensing mechanismrelative to the firearm 10 to more accurately coincide with the locationupon which the one or more projectiles will make contact with an object.The directional receiver 14 and the directional transceiver 12 maymechanically or electrically connected such that the vertical angle ofboth the directional receiver 14 and the directional transceiver 12 areadjusted simultaneously.

The locking mechanism 16 is in electrical communication with thedirectional receiver 24. The locking mechanism 16 may be configured toprevent the firearm 10 from launching the one or more projectiles inresponse to a determination by the directional receiver 14 that theuniform 20 is within the path of the one or more projectiles launched bythe firearm 10. More specifically, the locking mechanism 16 may includean electrical device, mechanical device, etc., that prevents a triggerfrom being depressed (similar to a firearm safety) or prevents the oneor more projectiles from being launched in response to a depressedtrigger.

As indicated above, in certain example embodiments, the firearm 10 isconfigured to determine the number of times the firearm 10 has targetedthe uniform 20 and the duration of each targeting. A memory mediumcollocated with the firearm 10 may track this data and automaticallyengage the locking mechanism 16 as appropriate.

In certain example embodiments, the locking mechanism 16 includes abackfire device configured to cause injury or lethality to theindividual operating the firearm 10 in response to a determination bythe directional receiver 14 that the firearm 10 is targeting the uniform20. For example, a backfire device may be configured to cause injury orlethality to the individual operating the firearm 10 in response to adetermination that the trigger of the firearm 10 is depressed while thefirearm 10 is targeting a uniform 20. Alternatively, the backfire devicemay be configured to cause injury or lethality in response to adetermination that the firearm 10 has targeted a uniform 20 a thresholdnumber of times and/or for a threshold duration. Examples of backfiredevices include explosives, electroshock devices, and/or devicesconfigured to launch one or more projectiles towards the individualoperating the firearm 10.

In certain example embodiments, omnidirectional transmitter 24 isconfigured to encrypt the transmitted omnidirectional signal anddirectional receiver 14 is configured to decrypt the omnidirectionalsignal transmitted by the omnidirectional transmitter 24.

In certain example embodiments, the uniform 20 includes one or moresecurity features to prevent unauthorized individuals (e.g., enemycombatants) that obtain and wear the uniform 20 from transmitting theomnidirectional signal from omnidirectional transmitter 24. For example,the security feature may include a storage device that stores apassword, a user interface (e.g., buttons, switches, keypads, etc.)configured to input a password, a processing device configured todetermine if the password input matches the stored password, etc. Inanother example, the security feature may include a storage device thatstores a biometric information (e.g., fingerprint, retinal pattern,etc.) that is sufficiently unique to differentiate between theauthorized user of the uniform 20 and other individuals, an input device(e.g., fingerprint reader, retinal scanner, etc.) configured to inputbiometric information, a processing device configured to determine ifthe input biometric information matches the stored biometricinformation, etc.

In certain example embodiments, the omnidirectional transmitter 24 isconfigured to encrypt the transmitted omnidirectional signal anddirectional receiver 14 is configured to decrypt the omnidirectionalsignal transmitted by the omnidirectional transmitter 24.

In certain example embodiments, the omnidirectional signal transmittedby the omnidirectional directional transmitter 24 includes dataidentifying the individual uniform 20 and/or the location of the uniform20. The data may be packetized and may be encoded using frequencymodulation, pulse width modulation, etc. The data identifying theindividual uniform 20 may be stored in a memory device. The dataidentifying the location of the uniform 20 may be determined by apositioning system using a global positioning system (GPS), signaltriangulation, etc.

FIG. 5 is an overview of a network 100 utilizing uniforms 20 andfirearms 10 of the firearm safety system 1 in accordance with certainexample embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 5, the network 100 includes firearms 10, uniforms 20,and a central command location 30. Each uniform 20 and/or firearm 10 maystore and/or transmit information gathered during training and/or combatoperations. For example, each uniform 20 may store and/or transmit thelocation of the uniform 20, each instance in which the uniform 20 wastargeted by a firearm 10 (or a uniform 20 moved within the field of fireof the firearm 10), the duration of time the uniform 20 was within thefield of fire of the firearm 10, the location of the firearm 10, etc.The information may be encrypted may be transmitted by any suitabletransmitter through radio frequency or other wireless communicationmethods. For example, the information may be transmitted by theomnidirectional transmitter 24 described above with reference to FIG. 4.

Each firearm 10 may store and/or transmit the location of the firearm10, each instance in which the firearm 10 targeted a uniform 20 (or auniform 20 moved within the field of fire of the firearm 10), theduration of time the uniform 20 was within the field of fire of thefirearm 10, the location of the uniform 20, etc. The information may beencrypted may be transmitted by any suitable transmitter through radiofrequency or other wireless communication methods. For example, theinformation may be transmitted wirelessly (e.g., through Bluetooth, nearfield communication, etc.) to a uniform 20 of the individual carryingthe firearm 10 and the omnidirectional transmitter 24 of the uniform 20may retransmit the information.

Information gathered by each firearm 10 and uniform 20 may betransmitted to firearms 10 and/or uniforms 20 within the network 100and/or to a command location 30. The firearms 10 and/or uniforms 20 maycreate a mesh network such that information to receive and retransmitinformation from other firearms 10 and uniforms 20. This mesh likearrangement advantageously may be used in certain example embodiments toincrease the range of transmission, decrease the power requirementsneeded for transmissions, relay friendly/hostile location and/oridentification information to persons within the mesh, etc.

The command location 30 may include a signal receiver 31, a storagedevice 33, a processor 35, a display 37, etc. The signal receiver 31 maybe any device configured to receive the information transmitted by thefirearms 10 and/or the uniforms 20. The storage device 33 may be anydevice configured to store the store the received information innon-transitory form. The processor 35 may be any hardware processorconfigured to process, compute, and transmit data such as the receivedinformation. The command location 30 may in certain example embodimentsbe a central command location 30, e.g., provided in an on-station orother aircraft, temporarily deployed area, back-office potentiallythousands of miles away, etc.

The processor 35 may output to the display 37 the information stored bythe received from the firearms 10 and/or the uniforms 20 by the signalreceiver 31 and/or the storage device 33. For example, the processor 35output to the display 37 the location of a firearm 10 which has targeteda uniform 20. In one example embodiment, the processor 35 outputs to thedisplay 37 the location of a firearm 10 in response to a single instancein which the firearm 10 targets a uniform 20. In another exemplaryembodiment, the processor 35 outputs to the display 37 the location of afirearm 10 if the firearm 10 targets a uniform 20 a threshold number oftimes or for a threshold duration.

The processor 35 may execute one or more programs stored by the storagedevice 33. The processor 35 may apply one or more filters to theinformation received from the firearms 10 and/or the uniforms 20. Forexample, the processor 35 may perform motion analysis on the locationand/or targeting information. The processor 35 may cross reference themotion analysis with approved tactical formation data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of protecting soldiers bydisabling the firearm 10 according to an example embodiment. Referringto FIG. 6, the omnidirectional transmitter 24 of the uniform 20transmits an omnidirectional signal in operation S61. The directionalreceiver 14 of the firearm 10 repeatedly determines whether a signalfrom the omnidirectional transmitter 24 is received in operation S62. Ifa signal from the omnidirectional transmitter 24 is received, thelocking mechanism 16 prevents the one or more projectiles from beinglaunched by the firearm 10 in operation S63. In operation S64, thefirearm 10 optionally determines whether to engage the optional backfiremechanism. The firearm 10 may engage the backfire mechanism, forexample, if the trigger of the firearm 10 is depressed while thedirectional receiver 14 receives a signal from an omnidirectionaltransmitter 24 of a uniform 20. Alternatively, the backfire mechanismmay be engaged if the directional receiver 14 receives a signal from anomnidirectional transmitter 24 a threshold number (e.g., 1, 2, etc.) oftimes, for a threshold duration, etc. If the firearm 10 determines thatthe optional backfire mechanism should be engaged, the backfiremechanism is engaged, e.g., as described above, in operation S65.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of protecting soldiers byproviding feedback through the uniform 20 according to an exampleembodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the directional transmitter 12 of thefirearm 10 transmits a directional signal in operation S71. In operationS72, the omnidirectional receiver 22 of the uniform 20 repeatedlydetermines if the directional signal is received from the directionaltransmitter 12. If the omnidirectional receiver 22 receives thedirectional signal from the directional transmitter 12, the alertmechanism 26 provides feedback as described above in operation S73.

Although certain example embodiments have been described in connectionwith live-fire and/or hostile environments, it will be appreciated thatthe example techniques set forth herein may be used in connection withtraining and/or other simulations. For instance, troop movements,deployment patterns, etc., may be monitored; individual targetingaccuracy may be gauged; responses to stimuli may be tested; etc. In thisvein, the data may be related to the central command location 30 andprocessed to determine who is likely to panic under pressure, who needsmore training as to how to handle a firearm (e.g., so as to not endangerpersons moving in or out of formation, etc), and so on.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using informationgathered by the firearm safety system 1 for training according to anexample embodiment. The omnidirectional transmitter 24 of uniform 20transmits an omnidirectional signal in operation S81. The directionaltransmitter 12 of the firearm 10 transmits a directional signal inoperation S82.

In operation S83, the directional receiver 14 of the firearm 10determines whether the omnidirectional signal is received. If thedirectional receiver 14 receives the omnidirectional signal, the firearm10 stores and/or transmits information relating to the omnidirectionalsignal as described above in operation S84. The information stored ortransmitted by the firearm 10 may include the location of the firearm10, each instance in which the firearm 10 targeted a uniform 20 (or auniform 20 moved within the field of fire of the firearm 10), theduration of time the uniform 20 was within the field of fire of thefirearm 10, the location of the uniform 20, etc.

In operation S85, the omnidirectional receiver 22 of the uniform 20determines whether the directional signal from the directionaltransmitter 12 is received. If the omnidirectional receiver 22 receivesthe omnidirectional signal from the directional transmitter 12, theuniform 20 stores and/or transmits information relating to thedirectional signal as described above in operation S86. The informationstored or transmitted by the uniform 20 may include the location of theuniform 20, each instance in which the uniform 20 was targeted by afirearm 10 (or a uniform 20 moved within the field of fire of thefirearm 10), the duration of time the uniform 20 was within the field offire of the firearm 10, the location of the firearm 10, etc.

As indicated above, certain example embodiments may attempt to restrictthe use of a firearm when one attempts to put the firearm in use withoutauthorization, e.g., in situations where the firearm falls into thehands of an enemy (possibly because a presumed ally is actually ahostile person, a weapon on the battlefield is picked up by another,etc.), is stolen, and/or the like. Inputs in the form of alphanumericcodes, biometric data, and/or the like, may be used to control whetherthe firearm is able to fire in certain example instances as indicatedabove. It will be appreciated, however, that there may be civilian (orat least non-military and/or non-law enforcement related) applicationsfor these and/or other similar techniques. For example, it will beappreciated that it would be desirable to cause a weapon to stop workingif it were stolen, being used in connection with the commission of acrime, fell into the hands of a child, etc. Certain example embodimentsaddress these and/or other needs by, among other things, providingremote monitoring systems and/or methods. In such remote monitoringsystems and/or methods, a firearm may be locked when it is stowed,automatically after a period of inactivity and/or non-movement, etc. Insuch cases, the firearm's location additionally or alternatively may betracked (e.g., if the firearm has a GPS or other locating meansconnected thereto or associated therewith).

In order to re-enable the use of the firearm and/or at least temporarilyhalt tracking of the firearm, a code, biometric data, and/or the like,may be input to a control system placed on the firearm. For example, asmall keypad or the like may be provided to the firearm so that acontrol code (e.g., a four digit code, etc.) can be entered; athumbprint or retinal scanner can be disposed on the firearm (e.g., nearthe grip or elsewhere); etc. Alternatively, or in addition, a code maybe entered to a remote system, e.g., by providing the same or similarinput to a computer that communicates the information over a networksuch as the Internet to a remote server, placing a telephone call to anumber dedicated to the firearm or to a general number and thenproviding authenticating information (such as, for example, a usernameand password or control code), sending an SMS or other message to adedicated address, etc.

In certain example embodiments, when the “unlock code” is provided, thefirearm may be enabled for normal operation and/or tracking of firearmmay at least temporarily cease. If, however, an attempt is made to movethe weapon, fire the weapon, etc., while it is still in a locked state,then the remote monitoring system may be alerted accordingly. Forexample, real-time positional information may be uploaded to the remotesystem (e.g., based on data gathered by the GPS or other locating meansand through a cellular, network-based, satellite, and/or communicationchannel using a processor and a suitably configured transmittercollocated with or otherwise provided to the firearm).

Circuitry associated with the receipt of the lock/unlock code, GPS orother locating device, etc., may be integrated into a single chippotentially built into the firearm in a concealed and possibly difficultto access location. A chip may, for example, be at least partiallypre-programmed by a manufacturer of the firearm so as to contain, forexample, a read-only indication of the firearm's serial number,make/model, year, and/or other identifying information. A uniqueidentifier in certain example embodiments may be broadcast via a signalgenerator and may take the form of, for example, an RF signal, and IRsignal, etc. Similarly, in certain example embodiments, the uniqueidentifier may be telephone number that can be called, etc. The chipmay, however, be programmable so that it can receive an instruction tostore a new lock/unlock code, e.g., after a control code instructing thechip to accept the new lock/unlock code is entered.

This information concerning movement of the firearm, attempted use ofthe firearm, attempted unlocking of the firearm, etc., once detected bythe remote system (e.g., as relayed to it via a detection at the firearmlevel), may cause the firearm's owner or other person tasked with itsmonitoring to be apprised of the situation, e.g., by initiating a callfrom a call center, placing an automatic/automated call, sending anemail or SMS or other electronic message, etc. If a firearm is suspectedof being stolen, for example, then the owner can be contacted to confirmwhether that is the case. If the owner confirms that the firearm hasbeen stolen, or does not reply within a suitable predefined time period,then law enforcement personnel can be automatically notified of thesuspected or reported theft. The notification to law enforcementpersonnel may include identifying information regarding the firearm(e.g., serial number, make, model, year, etc.), last known and/or liveposition date, etc. In certain example embodiments, law enforcementpersonnel may have access to a backend tracking system provided by theremote monitoring system's operator and/or the like and may be providedwith real-time information through a suitable computer-based userinterface.

In certain example embodiments, positional data and/or statusinformation (e.g., whether an attempt has been made to unlock thefirearm, whether an attempt has been made to fire the weapon, etc.)information, may be obtained substantially in real-time by using asoftware application provided to a computer, smart device, call-inservice, etc. For example, an App provided to a smart phone may enablereal-time information about the firearm to be achieved. This may beaccomplished in certain example embodiments by having the App contact aservice operated in a cloud-based environment that then interfaces withthe firearm directly or indirectly (e.g., through a database managed bythe remote monitoring system, etc.) to obtain real-time or recentsnapshot information. It thus will be appreciated that the App could beused in certain example scenarios to follow the firearm using acomputer, lock/unlock it, etc. This may be facilitated by associatingthe serial number with, or treating it as, a telephone number that canbe called into to provide instructions to the firearm (e.g., lock/unlockcommands, send position information, initiate camera recording, etc.)and/or receive data back from the firearm (e.g., positional information,lock/unlock status information, reset passwords or lock/unlock codes,pictures, streaming or uploaded, video, etc.).

It will be appreciated that these techniques may, for example, enablefirearms to be remotely activated or deactivated. Thus, if a child playswith a gun, it may be safetied automatically and/or not enabled forfiring upon detected movement, receipt of a remote locking signal (whichcould be automatically generated from a remote source and/or by or onbehalf of the firearm's owner, etc.), and/or the like. Similarly, if afirearm is detected as being close to a crime that is or was beingcommitted, it may be deactivated while the crime is in progress and/orshortly thereafter to attempt to reduce the likelihood that it is usedto cause more harm, etc.

It will be appreciated, then, that a remote monitoring service similarto those used in connection with house alarms may be provided forfirearms. An “ADT-like” system may be provided, for example, to helpensure that guns are locked and cannot be used without being unlocked,that they can be shut down remotely upon the detection of a problem orsuspected misuse, etc. Overriding gun control in this way may beadvantageous in terms of protecting children and/or other untrainedindividuals, thwarting crimes, etc. It also may be done in the contextof a private company that is separate from the government, therebyaddressing civil liberties and/or other concerns in some cases. In somecases, the security service may charge a monthly, annual, or otherservice fee for providing monitoring services, making theabove-described or other similar App available, maintaining a log ofpositional and/or status information, etc. In other cases, the App maybe provided by the firearm's manufacturer or by a third-party that isunrelated to a subscription-type service and not an official part of thegovernment.

In certain example embodiments, the firearm may be provided with a smallcamera or the like. The camera may be provided on or along a path atwhich a sight is provided. The camera may be in communication with thecontrol chip mentioned above and may be selectivelyactivated/deactivated for a number of different example purposes. Thecamera may be used in certain instances whenever the firearm isunlocked. In other example instances, the camera may be used unless itis expressly turned off by the user. In certain example instances, thecamera may be used to record movements of the firearm, e.g., in theevent that there is an attempted and/or suspected unauthorized movementand/or use. The data may be stored to a memory medium local to thedevice and uploaded and/or streamed to a remote server. The securitymonitoring system may enable “live look-ins” to authorized individualssuch as, for example, the owner (through an App of the type describedabove), law enforcement in the event that the firearm is suspected ashaving been stolen or being used to commit a crime (e.g., to aid inlocating the firearm, etc.), etc. Recorded data may also be useful fortraining purposes and/or to generate mementos of target practice,hunting expeditions, skeet shooting competitions, and/or the like. Interms of training, for example, X- and Y-axes and/or other targetinginformation may be superimposed on the video, e.g., to help the persondetermine whether they are consistently off in a particular directionand/or by a particular amount, to diagnose inconsistent trigger releasesand/or muscle movements, etc. The camera can also be used to help“sight-in” a particular sight, etc., if such horizontal and/or verticaldisplacement data is known or can be deduced from the recording. Incertain example embodiments, a button may be provided and/or the keypadmay be used to turn the camera on and off, as desired. In certainexample embodiments, the camera may be controlled such that it takes apicture (or burst of a predetermined number of pictures) and/or video(e.g., of a predetermined time length) any time the trigger is pulled,the firearm is suspected of being stolen, etc. This information may beaccessible via the App, and may be verified in certain example scenariosby an independent verification agency, e.g., to help provide evidencewhen an intruder is shot, an accident occurs, a tragedy is carried out,etc.

In certain example embodiments, a firearm therefore may comprise: atleast one processor; a transceiver controllable by the at least oneprocessor; and a locking mechanism configured to prevent the firearmfrom firing. The transceiver is configured to: transmit positional dataof the firearm based on instructions from the at least one processor,and receive from a remote source lock and unlock codes that, whenprocessed by the at least one processor, respectively prevent and enableoperation of the firearm. The positional data may be obtained through aGPS module, cellular triangulation techniques, and/or any other suitablelocating means. The lock and unlock codes may be provided by a cellular,packet switched, and/or other network. In certain example embodiments, amonitoring call-in center and/or authorized individual may place atelephone call, send an email or SMS message, and/or otherwise transmita message to a firearm to convey a lock/unlock code.

A firearm safety system may be provided, as well. The system maycomprise at least one processor, and either a plurality of these and/orother firearms or connections thereto. A database stores a record foreach said firearm, with each said record including contact information(e.g., telephone number, email address, etc.) for at least one person(e.g., an owner of the firearm, person charged with its custody, etc.).An alert module of the system may be configured to, in cooperation withthe at least one processor, receive lock and unlock codes for thefirearms and transmit received lock and unlock codes to the firearmswhen provided over a communication link from a verified user, andgenerate and transmit alert messages using the contact information whenunauthorized and/or unexpected uses and/or movements of the respectivefirearms are detected. For instance, the alert module may be furtherconfigured to automatically send a lock signal to a firearm when anunauthorized and/or unexpected use and/or movement is detected. Relatedmethods of operating the firearms and/or systems also are contemplatedherein.

The forgoing example embodiments are intended to provide anunderstanding of the disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art. Theforgoing description is not intended to limit the inventive conceptdescribed in this application, the scope of which is defined in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm safety system, comprising: a firearm; adirectional transmitter configured to transmit a directional signalsubstantially parallel to and/or generally in a line of sight of thefirearm; and a uniform comprising: an omnidirectional receiverconfigured to receive the directional signal transmitted by thedirectional transmitter; and an alert mechanism configured to outputfeedback to an individual equipped with the uniform in response to theomnidirectional receiver receiving the directional signal.
 2. Thefirearm safety system of claim 1, wherein the directional signal istransmitted in the infrared spectrum.
 3. The firearm safety system ofclaim 1, wherein the alert mechanism is configured to output feedback inresponse to the omnidirectional receiver receiving the directionalsignal a number of times that exceeds a first threshold and/or for aduration that exceeds a second threshold.
 4. The firearm safety systemof claim 1, wherein the alert mechanism is configured to generate hapticfeedback.
 5. The firearm safety system of claim 1, wherein the alertmechanism is configured to generate audible feedback.
 6. The firearmsafety system of claim 1, wherein the uniform further comprises adisplay and the alert mechanism is configured to output visual feedbackon the display in response to the omnidirectional receiver receiving thedirectional signal.
 7. The firearm safety system of claim 6, wherein:the firearm further comprises a location determination device configuredto determine a location of the firearm; the directional signal includesdata indicating the location of the firearm; and the visual feedbackincludes information regarding the location of the firearm.
 8. Thefirearm safety system of claim 1, wherein the omnidirectional receivercomprises a plurality of sensors and the alert mechanism is configuredto generate haptic feedback proximate to the sensor that detects thedirectional signal.
 9. The firearm safety system of claim 1, wherein thedirectional transmitter is configured to encrypt the directional signaland the omnidirectional receiver is configured to decrypt thedirectional signal.
 10. A firearm safety system, comprising: a uniformcomprising an omnidirectional transmitter configured to transmit anomnidirectional signal; and a firearm comprising: a directional receiverconfigured to receive the omnidirectional signal transmitted by theomnidirectional transmitter; and a locking mechanism configured toprevent the firearm from firing, in response to the directional receiverreceiving the omnidirectional signal.
 11. The firearm safety system ofclaim 10, wherein the omnidirectional transmitter operates in theinfrared spectrum.
 12. The firearm safety system of claim 10, whereinthe omnidirectional transmitter operates in radio frequencies.
 13. Thefirearm safety system of claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism furthercomprises a backfire mechanism configured to cause injury to anindividual operating the firearm when activated.
 14. The firearm safetysystem of claim 13, wherein the firearm further comprises a trigger andthe backfire mechanism is configured to cause injury to the individualoperating the firearm in response to the trigger being depressed whilethe firearm is targeting the uniform.
 15. The firearm safety system ofclaim 13, wherein the backfire mechanism comprises an explosive.
 16. Thefirearm safety system of claim 13, wherein the backfire mechanismcomprises electroshock devices configured to deliver a shock to theindividual operating the firearm.
 17. The firearm safety system of claim13, wherein the backfire mechanism is configured to automatically engagein response to the firearm targeting the uniform a number of times thatexceeds a first threshold and/or for a duration that exceeds a secondthreshold.
 18. A firearm safety system, comprising: a firearmcomprising: a directional transmitter configured to transmit adirectional signal generally along a path in which the firearm ispointing; a directional receiver; and a locking mechanism; and a uniformcomprising: an omnidirectional transmitter configured to transmit anomnidirectional signal; an omnidirectional receiver configured toreceive the directional signal transmitted by the directionaltransmitter; and an alert mechanism configured to output feedback to anindividual equipped with the uniform in response to the omnidirectionalreceiver receiving the directional signal, wherein: the directionalreceiver is configured to receive the omnidirectional signal transmittedby the omnidirectional transmitter, and the locking mechanism isconfigured to prevent the firearm from firing in response to thedirectional receiver receiving the omnidirectional signal.
 19. A firearmsafety system of claim 18, wherein the directional receiver is furtherconfigured to store information regarding signals received by thedirectional receiver.
 20. A firearm safety system of claim 18, whereinthe omnidirectional receiver is further configured to store informationregarding signals received by the omnidirectional receiver.
 21. Afirearm, comprising: at least one processor; a transceiver controllableby the at least one processor; and a locking mechanism configured toprevent the firearm from firing; wherein the transceiver is configuredto: transmit positional data of the firearm based on instructions fromthe at least one processor, and receive from a remote source lock andunlock codes that, when processed by the at least one processor,respectively prevent and enable operation of the firearm.
 22. A firearmsafety system, comprising: at least one processor; a plurality of thefirearms set forth in claim 21; a database storing a record for eachsaid firearm, each said record including contact information for atleast one person; and an alert module that, in cooperation with the atleast one processor, is configured to: receive lock and unlock codes forthe firearms and transmit received lock and unlock codes to the firearmswhen provided over a communication link from a verified user, andgenerate and transmit alert messages using the contact information whenunauthorized and/or unexpected uses and/or movements of the respectivefirearms are detected.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the alertmodule is further configured to automatically send a lock signal to afirearm when an unauthorized and/or unexpected use and/or movement isdetected.
 24. The system of claim 22, wherein lock and unlock codes aretransmittable to the firearms via cellular and/or packet switchednetworks.
 25. The system of claim 22, wherein the contact informationincludes a telephone number.